Cable-building machine



1922 2 sheets-sheet 1 /NVENTORS Wl TNESSE S Apr 3, 1923.v 1,450,584V

H. w. FISHER ET Al'.

CABLEl BUILDING MACHINE Filed Mgy 24.1922 2 Sheets-sheet 2 FIEll Patented Apr. 3, 1923.

l uNirEu sraras,

.EENR FISH-ER AND NORMAN C. DAVIS, OE PERTAMBOY, NEW' JERSEY,

As IGNOBS To STANDARD vUNDERGROUND CABLE COMPANY, OE PrT'rs- I -BURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION ory PENNSYLVANIA.

, CABLE-BULLDING MACHINE.

Application vled May 24, 1322.I ,Y Serial No. 563,446.

To allen/1.0mt may concern.' y

Be it lknown that We, HENRi,7 WV.' FISHER and NORMAN C, DAVIS, residing at Perth Amboy, in the countyof Middlesex and a State of New Jersey, both citizens of the United States, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Cable-Building Machines, of which improvements the following is a specification.-

lt has heretofore been proposed, in the building of electric cables (see U. S. Letters Patent N o. 1,009,732, granted November 28, 1911, to the Standard Underground Cable l`Company, on the'application of Henry W. Fisher, one of the present applicants), to apply strip-formed insulation (paper, for instance) to a conductor, by causing the conductor, While advancing incontinuous length upon a right-line course, to rotate as it advances, and in so doing Vto Wrap itself With- .in the -tape or tapes fed from adjacent stationary reels. This proposal, being carried out, has manifest advantages over the usual procedure, in Which the advancing ze conductor does not rotate, but the reels which carry the strips travel in planetary orbits around theline of conductorVv advance. Our present invention consists in improvements upon the disclbsures of the Fisher patent mentioned above; these greatly increase the commercial value of the original disclosure. The features of our present improvements may be enumerated and characterized briefly:

First: The number of strips or tapes which are `applied to a. conductor varies;

it may often be very largenfty say, or even twov or three hundred. The mechanism .required to drive sogreat a number of reels in planetary motion around a single line of conductor travel must manifestly be very great, and it is manifest that the idea of imparting rotary movement to the conductor while the 'tape reels remain stationary is one which, being realized, has manifest advantages. That idea is, in the practice of our invention, realized, and, furthermore, our improvements make possible the application of successive tapes at minimum'intervals, in the closest possible sequence; and from this it follows that the length of conductor extending in straight-away course and exposed for application of the tapes may bereduced to a minimum, with saving of Hoor space and ,simplification of conductor-moving mechanism.

.Secondz We provide torsion-resisting devices. It is manifest that a length of cable supported at its ends and rotated by force `applied at the ends, and in its rotation drawing a tape from al 'soure of tape supply and wrapping the tape about itself, is necessarily subjected to a torsion strain: some resistance has to be overcome by the turning sion strain is broken and subdivided, and

made operative upon shorter lengths of con'- ductor. Thus the torsion strains are rendered ineffective to disturb practical, successful operation.

Third: We provide tension devices throughwhich the tapes pass after leaving their reels and before being applied to the conductor. The tape reels are themselves left free to turn with a minimum degree of restraint, and, compared with the resistance of the reels, the resistance afforded by these tension devices is 'great The consequent advantages are that, whetherv drawn from a full or from a'n empty reel, the constantly speeded strip advances to and is laid down upon the conductor under a practically uniformly maintained tension; that the actual value of this uniform tension may be adjusted to other conditions of cable building;

that in such a tension device all distorting strains may be counteracted, and the tape may be laid down upon the conductor free of all tendencies to buckle or Wrinkle; and that the tape reels may be located where one will, near or far, and in such locations as to be free of access and non-interferin one with another. Another advantage o the use of the tension device and of remote placement of the reel, is that, when the reel is emptied, it may be replaced by a' full one and the ends of the tapes may be joined, all without disturbance of the cpu,-

tinuous operation ofthe whole. And still another advantage is found in a provision which we shall describe, which makes for easier and more certain inspection of the tapes as they advance to the conductor.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I is a view in vertical and longitudinal section of apparatus for wrapping strips or tapes upon conductors, and in whlch certain of the improvements which constitute our present invention are shown to be incorporated, and 1n the assembly and use of which all of our improvements may, as presently will appear, be incorporated. Fig. II is a view in transverse vertical section through an advancing conductor and showing in elevation and in`cooperation with it the elements of a certain torsion-resisting device. The plane of section of Fig. II is indicated in Fig. I by the dotted line II-II. F ig. III is a view in perspective, showing in diagrammatic manner the tension device. Fig. IV isa diagrammatic view in side elevation of the assembled apparatus. viewed in a direction longitudinal of the conductor, the conductor itself being shown in cross section. Fig. V is a view in vertical section through shaft 8 and showing in elevation a certain sprocket drive mechanism for rotating certain parts synchronously with the cable.

Referring first to Fig. I of the drawings, a storing reel for the Vstill unwrapped conductor is indicated at 1, a take-ofi drum for i the wrapped conductor is indicated at 2, and

right to left, as is indicated by the arrow d.,

The two reels and the take-olf drum mentioned are mounted in alignment, as shown, their ax'es extend transversely of and intersect the midlineof conductor advance, a-ZL The reels have two motions: they rotate, each on its axis, and they rotate also, and insynchronism, upon the line a/-b as an axis.

The means for synchronously rotating the two reels 1, and 3 and the take-off drum 2,

upon the line a--b as an axis of turning, are

shown. Reel 1 is journaled in a frame 4, and frame 4 in turn is journaled in standards 5; take-o' drum 2 and reel 3 are both journaled in one frame 6, and frame 6 in turn is journaled in standards 7 Frames 4 and 6 are rotated from a driven shaft 8, through pinions 9, 10, 11,12.

Ordinarily reel 1 will be mounted for idle turning on its axis in response to tension upon the conductor, tending to unwind it. Drum 2 and reel 3 will be positively driven each rotating upon its own axis. Provision will be made, 1n well-known manner that the length ofyconductor (now wrapped) extending from drum 2 to reel 3 shall always be taut, regardless of the depth to which the ,conductor may be wrapped on reel 3. For example, reel 3 may be driven through a variable speed friction drive.

Thel frames 4 and 6 are provided with guides 13 and 14, through which the conductor advances from reel 1 to drum 2, and thesev uides are the 'primary means for maintalning the intervening length of conductor inv straight-away course, and in proper position to receive the enveloping strips of insulation.`

Between the frames 4 and and arranged to engage the length of material which extends between guides 13 and 14, is arranged one, or any desired number of torsion resisting devices. These are employed in such number and are so spaced along the length of material which extends between guides 13 and 14, as to subdivide the extent of the material into a plurality of shorter reaches of suitable length. We show one torsionresisting device, and onere'ach of the length of conductor defined by it-the reach between it and guide 14. This illustration will suice; duplication to any desired degree will be obvious.

The torsion-resisting device consists essentially of a member which, not interfering to a prohibitive degree with the advance of the conductor along the line w-b, engages the surface of the conductor, more or lessenveloped, and by engagement resists such tendency as may manifest itself in the conducrtqr, to 'depart torsionally from rotation at"uniform rate from end to end, in accord with the rotation of frames 4 and 6.

The specific form of such means may vary. The form we preferably employ is particularly illustrated in Figs. I and II of the drawings. It consists of a ring 15, mounted for rotation in a suitable standard 18, arranged in axial alignment upon the line lfand adapted to be rotated in synchronism with frames 4 and 6. The driving means may conveniently consist of a sprocket drive indicated at 17 from a Sprocket wheel mounted on shaft 8. sprocket drive effects rotation of the ear wheel 23 which meshes with a gear whee 1ntegral with ring 15.

The ring 15 internally engages the exterior surface of the conductor passing through and is minutely shaped to that end. Such conductor engaging surfaces may conveniently take the form of anti-friction rollers 16 (so imposing in minimum degree added resistance to the lon itudinail advance of the conductor upon the ine a-b). The rollers 16 are idly journaled in the body of ring 15, and their cooperating surfaces define a roll pass corresponding `in shape and size tothe advancing conductor. In the case shown the conductor is sector-shaped, but even The were it circular it will be understood that correspondingly shaped rollers would by their frictional contact witlixthe surface of the conductor be effective to resist torsion Vrow d. The number of such strips so applied to the conductor in each of the intervals defined by the torsion-resisting devices may besuch as desired. In the interval immediately to the left of guide 13 we show three such strips in course of application; in the interval to the left of tension-resisting device 15, and' between it and guide 14, we show four strips in course-of application.

Whatever be'the actual value of the resistance to be overcome in drawing strips S forward and wrapping them upon the conduct-or C, it must, under-practical conditions, be appreciable. And conductor C rotated lwith frames 4 and 6 is itself the mechanical means through which traction strain vis exerted on the strips. The cumulative etfectof a large number of such small st-rains, tending to distort the conducvtor torsionally, may be very great,'and the aim and end of the torsion-resisting means now described are apparent: the aggregate sum is subdivided into a plurality of'smaller sums, and manifesly the particular arrangement will be su "sum is of sufficient magnitude to forbid practical operation and successful production for purposes intended. `v

Fig. III shows a suitable tension device for the strip S. Ordinarily there will be a.A

separate tension device for each strip, though as the drawing-suggests a plurality of tension devices may have structural parts in common. The tension device is arranged at a convenient intermediate point, between the reel 19 'from which the strip is drawn and the conductor C upon which it is laid down.

The tension device may conveniently consist of two plates 20 and 21 arranged face to face and bolted together at opposite sides of the pass between, by such spring-backed means of bo'lting as the drawings show, and which, being a well known arrangement, does not require detailed description. The characteristic features are that the opposite plates are held under spring pressure toward one another and in close frictional engagement upon opposite sides of the passing strip; and, further, that the distribution of hthat no single smaller 1 the pressure may be varied-and equalized across the strip by proper adjustment of the opposite bolts. The friction exerted in this tension device will so-farexceed the resistance which the reel 19 offers to unwinding strain that that resistance (varying .as of necessity it does, if only because of increased speed as the spool becomes emptied) is blanketed and is practically ineffective t0 disturb the substantially constant condition of tension set up by the tension device.

W hen the principle and purpose of this tension device are clearly understood the value of the torsion resisting means already described become the more apparent.

Fig. IIIindicates that plate 20 may be so `extended ,as to form with a `succession of plates 21 a' plurality of tension devices.

The tension devices are placed in such position relative to the length of conductor advancingvbetween frames 4 and 6 as may be found convenient; and, such tension devices beingprovided, manifestly reels 19 may be placedat such near or remote points as maybe convenient. Reels 19 being remote from the tension devices, it is evident that facility exists for replacing an empty reel with a full one and uniting the end of a new strip to the used-upy strip before rthat end reaches and passes through the tension device, and that without intermission of the continuous progress of the operation as a whole. It will be apparent that such a tens ion deviceas is described in the co-pending application ofV Norman C. Davis, one of the present applicants, filed July 7, 1922, Serial No. 573,424, maybe employed, even though the device'` be not remote from` the reel.

Turning to Fig. IV a convenient arrangement will be seen, diagrammatically indicated. 4A. tension device, indicated by the numeral 20, is shown, arranged adjacentthe turning andk advancing conductor C; it will be understood that a pluralityof such tension devices may stand side by side along the length'of conductor C. A plurality of tapes S is shown, advancing from reels 19, and these tapes will be understood to be advancing through such a plurality of tension devices, and in the course of being wrapped about the conductor C. A bar 22 is provided suitably arranged, to the end that all of the tapes are caused to pass over it, side by side, on'their way from the reels to the conductor. Such a bar is of value, in that it brings into view under uniform conditions of vision the plurality of tapes, and, bar- 22, being suitably placed, means for inspection and ready detection of faults are at hand. It is advantageous that this bar be arranged as shown, to rearward of and at some substantial distance from the tension devices, to the end that flaws may be cut out and the cut ends of the strip united again, without interruption of the Wrapping operation. The emptying of a reel is of course immediately apparent in an assembly such as Fig. IV shows.

Some of these advantages may still be realized, even though no separate bar 22 be employed, the plate of the tension devices serving in some degree the same ends. If it were desired such a bar might manifestly be placed in lintermediate position, between tension devices and conductor.

7e claim as our invention: y

1. In a taping machine the combination of means for causing the article undertreatment to advance on straight away course r0- tating as it advances, means for placing under tension a. tape secured to the article unv der treatment and drawn forward by the article as 'it advances, and means adapted to engage the surface of the advancing article and by such engagement to oppose torsional stress upon the article,v substantially as described.

2. lIn a conductor-insulating machine, the combination of means for causing a conductor to advance upon a straight-away course, rotating as it advances, torsion-resisting means adapted to engage a conductor so advancing, and means for holding under tension a plurality of strips of insulating material fed to such an advancing conductor on either side of said torsion-resisting means, substantially as described.

3. In a taping machine the combination of means for causing the article under treat- `ment to advance on straight-away course,

rotating as it advances, means adapted to engage the surface ofan article so advancing, rotatable, in unison with the article, and adapted While o'ering relatively little resistance to the straight-.away advance of the article, offering relatively great resistance to torsional deformation thereof, and means for holding'under tension a length of tape secured to the advancing article, substantially as described.'

ticle, a tape reel, and a tension device adapted to engage a Web of tape advancing from said reel to the article under treatment.

6. In a taping machine the combination of means for causing the article under treatment to advance on straight-away course, rotating as it advances, torsion-preventing means adapted to engage such article at an intermedia-te point in such straight-away course, a plurality of tension devices adapted to engage tapes fed to an article under treatment, said tension devices being individually adjustable in their tension-giving effeet, substantially as described.

7. In a taping machine the combination of means for causing an article under treatment to advance on straight-away course together with a tape reel, one of Said parts being rotatable relatively to the other on the line ofcable advance as an axis of rotation, and means engaging the article under treatmentat an intermediate point in the length of its straight-away course and by such engagement resisting distortion thereof.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands.

HENRY W. FISHER. NORMAN C. DAVIS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE J SHURTS, E. J. WARING. 

